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Need Advice Suggested host for small forum?

Discussion in 'Community Broadband & Computers' started by sharse, Aug 4, 2010.

  1. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    A group of my friends -- we're spread around the country -- are thinking of starting up a small forum using vbulletin. I see there are ZILLIONS (well, maybe not quite) of hosts out there and considering I know NOTHING about this topic I thought I'd ask the experts here if you had any experience and/or suggestions for me about which host to use or not use.

    This will just be a small (like 20 users max!), private site for friends to stay in touch. No business involved.

    Thanks for your thoughts!
     
  2. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    One more question... should I consider using phpBB instead, or is it garbage?
     
  3. Sunny

    Sunny Chief Advisor

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    i know some people use yahoo groups, but i find it not very user friendly. i really like qlubb.com and use it for some different groups. it's really easy to use for everyone.
     
  4. gunzour

    gunzour "Living on the Edge"

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    vBulletin is very nice, but it is commercial. It may not be worth the cost for a small community like that. phpBB is quite good too, and free.

    I use GoDaddy for some small sites that I have. A large provider like that has automated systems in place to install the most common free software, including phpBB, for you. That way you don't have to figure out how to install it, or bother with FTP uploads or anything like that. And the cost is $5/month. http://www.godaddy.com/hosting/web-hosting.aspx?ci=9009#details

    There are also sites out there that let you create a message board or mailing list for a small group like that for free. Yahoo Groups is one I can think of. You can also create a private group on Facebook. (Although Facebook's forums aren't very useful IMHO.) I'm sure there are others.
     
  5. Sunny

    Sunny Chief Advisor

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    for instance, on yahoo groups everyone must register and it's a pain for some people so you might not have the participation you want. on qlubb.com you all use the same info so it is very simple to send out the initial email and say "okay, here is our site, enter this info and you are in". no one has to go through a lengthy registration process and the communication can begin. everyone can upload documents, photos, post bulletins, send group emails- it's pretty good.
     
  6. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    Thanks! I'll check out those options!
     
  7. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    Is qlubb free? It looks like it...
     
  8. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    Look into Yahoo Groups or Google Groups. Both offer 'private' group options which should fit your needs. There's no need for you to get something like forum software hosted somewhere. Additionally, you don't want to have to deal with having to keep things updated, etc. Forum software is often the target of hacks and spams, so unless you really, really have a need for something like that, go with a Yahoo or Google solution that isolates you from the administrative overhead...
     
  9. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    I didn't even know google had groups. I've learned so much today!!!
     

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